Path: utzoo!attcan!ncrcan!becker!censor!comspec!tvcent!lethe!torsqnt!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!clyde.concordia.ca!uunet!kaukau.comp.vuw.ac.nz!comp.vuw.ac.nz!gpwd!gpwrdcs
From: don@gp.govt.nz (Don Stokes)
Newsgroups: comp.arch
Subject: Re: Yet Another Upgrade Anecdote
Message-ID: <1179.264588e3@gp.govt.nz>
Date: 7 May 90 05:24:02 GMT
References: <43777@iuvax.cs.indiana.edu> <1161.263f4987@gp.govt.nz> <23254.26434102@ccavax.camb.com>
Organization: Government Printing Office, Wellington, New Zealand
Lines: 23

In article <23254.26434102@ccavax.camb.com>, merriman@ccavax.camb.com writes:
> And then there was the infamous MicroVAX II RC (for restricted configuration).
> It sold cheap and was the same as any other MVII, except the last four or five
> slots on the backplane were filled with epoxy! I know of one instance where 
> the DEC field service tech happily ordered new, undamaged backplanes and 
> installed them in some RCs under warranty!

Oh yes, I recall DEC Professional having an article on how to convert
your VAXstation IIRC to a VAXstation II by repacing the backplane.  The 
article made comment on the fact it took *two* (shock, horror) types of 
screwdriver to do it.... having pulled my MicroPDP-11 (same cabinet) to 
bits, it doesn't look too difficult, as long as you keep track of what 
order you take it apart, and the BA23 cabinet is small enough to do on a 
workbench.  It started with something to the effect of "The only 
difference between the VAXstation II and the IIRC is the nameplate on the 
front and the fact the backplane is full of glue", and ended with "Now 
the only difference is the nameplate on the front"......


Don Stokes, ZL2TNM    /  /                              PSI%(5301)47000028::DON
Systems Programmer   /GP/ Government Printing Office      Postmaster@gp.govt.nz
____________________/  /__Wellington__New_Zealand________________don@gp.govt.nz
                           Murphy was an optimist.